Nick Hockley to Step Down as Cricket Australia CEO After Next Summer

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has announced that he will step down at the end of the upcoming season, concluding nearly 13 years in Australian cricket, including five years as CEO.

“This was a difficult decision. However, following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well advanced, this is the right time to pursue new challenges while giving the Board ample time to find my successor. This is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain fully focused on the season ahead and supporting the Board in ensuring a smooth transition,” said Hockley, according to a Cricket Australia media release.

Cricket Australia Chairman Mike Baird confirmed that Hockley had informed the Board that the upcoming summer would be his final one as CEO.

“As CEO, Nick navigated the sport through an unprecedented period during the pandemic and delivered significant growth and stability. Under his leadership, several major deals are now in place, many extending for the next seven years, positioning the game for continued success,” Mike Baird said.

Baird added, “As Nick says, his full focus is on delivering another successful summer for our fans, players, broadcasters, partners, and the entire Australian cricket community. There will be time to celebrate his legacy and achievements when he steps down next year. The timing of Nick’s decision allows the Board to ensure a smooth transition, and we will soon begin the process of finding and appointing his successor.”

Hockley is expected to step down towards the end of March 2025, although the exact timing will depend on the appointment of his successor.

Appointed interim CEO of Cricket Australia in June 2020 and made permanent CEO eleven months later, Hockley has guided the sport through two pandemic-affected seasons. Under his leadership, Cricket Australia has laid strong foundations and set a growth trajectory with a new five-year strategy, seven-year media deals with Seven West Media, Foxtel Group, and Disney Star in India, and a new player MOU with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, which includes a 66% increase in pay for female professional cricketers.

Hockley has overseen significant successes, including Australia’s first tour to Pakistan in 24 years, winning and retaining the Ashes for both the women’s and men’s teams, and securing six ICC trophies, including the 2022 and 2023 Cricket World Cups, the 2021 and 2023 T20 World Cups, the 2023 World Test Championship, and the 2024 Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup. His tenure also saw Australia win Commonwealth Games gold in 2022.

Hockley joined Australian cricket in October 2012 as GM Commercial & Marketing for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which attracted over 1 million fans and generated more than $1 billion for the Australian and New Zealand economies. Following a brief stint as Head of Commercial Projects, he was appointed CEO of the Local Organising Committee for the ICC T20 World Cup 2020, leading the record-breaking Women’s T20 World Cup, which saw 86,174 fans attend the final at the MCG.

(With ANI Inputs)

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